Monday, August 30, 2021

Bible Readings for August 30, 2021

Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Job 34:1–36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; and Proverbs 22:10-12. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.  


Job 34:1–36:33 (Contemporary English Version)


Job 34

Elihu Continues
You Men Think You Are Wise

 1Elihu said:     2You men think you are wise,
   but just listen to me!
    3Think about my words,
   as you would taste food.
    4Then we can decide the case
   and give a just verdict.
    5Job claims he is innocent
   and God is guilty
   of mistreating him.
    6Job also argues that God
   considers him a liar
   and that he is suffering severely
   in spite of his innocence.
    7But to tell the truth,
   Job is shameless!
    8He spends his time with sinners,
    9because he has said,
   "It doesn't pay to please God."     

If Any of You Are Smart

 10If any of you are smart,    you will listen and learn
   that God All-Powerful
   does what is right.
    11God always treats everyone
   the way they deserve,
    12and he is never unfair.
    13From the very beginning,
   God has been in control
   of all the world.
    14If God took back the breath
   that he breathed into us,
    15we humans would die
   and return to the soil.
    16So be smart and listen!
    17The mighty God is the one
   who brings about justice,
   and you are condemning him.
    18Indeed, God is the one
   who condemns unfair rulers.
    19And God created us all;
   he has no favorites,
   whether rich or poor.
    20Even powerful rulers die
   in the darkness of night
   when they least expect it,
   just like the rest of us.     

God Watches Everything We Do

 21God watches everything we do.     22No evil person can hide
   in the deepest darkness.
    23And so, God doesn't need
   to set a time for judgment.
    24Without asking for advice,
   God removes mighty leaders
   and puts others in their place.
    25He knows what they are like,
   and he wipes them out
   in the middle of the night.
    26And while others look on,
   he punishes them
   because they were evil
    27and refused to obey him.
    28The persons they mistreated
   had prayed for help,
   until God answered
   their prayers.
    29When God does nothing,
   can any person or nation
   find fault with him?
    30But still, he punishes rulers
   who abuse their people. [a] 31Job, you should tell God
   that you are guilty
   and promise to do better.
    32Then ask him to point out
   what you did wrong,
   so you won't do it again.
    33Do you make the rules,
   or does God?
   You have to decide--
   I can't do it for you;
   now make up your mind.
    34Job, anyone with good sense
   can easily see
    35that you are speaking nonsense
   and lack good judgment.
    36So I pray for you to suffer
   as much as possible
   for talking like a sinner.
    37You have rebelled against God,
   time after time,
   and have even insulted us.
    

Job 35

Elihu Continues
Are You Really Innocent?

 1Elihu said:     2Job, are you really innocent
   in the sight of God? [b] 3Don't you honestly believe
   it pays to obey him?
    4I will give the answers
   to you and your friends.
    5Look up to the heavens
    6and think!
   Do your sins hurt God?
    7Is any good you may have done
   at all helpful to him?
    8The evil or good you do
   only affects other humans.
    9In times of trouble,
   everyone begs the mighty God
   to have mercy.
    10But after their Creator
   helps them through hard times,
   they forget about him,
    11though he makes us wiser
   than animals or birds.
    12God won't listen to the prayers
   of proud and evil people.
    13If God All-Powerful refuses
   to answer their empty prayers,
    14he will surely deny
   your impatient request
   to face him in court.
    15Job, you were wrong to say
   God doesn't punish sin.
    16Everything you have said
   adds up to nonsense.
    

Job 36

Elihu Continues
Be Patient a While Longer

 1Elihu said:     2Be patient a while longer;
   I have something else to say
   in God's defense.
    3God always does right--
   and this knowledge
   comes straight from God. [c] 4You can rest assured
   that what I say is true.
    5Although God is mighty,
   he cares about everyone
   and makes fair decisions.
    6The wicked are cut down,
   and those who are wronged
   receive justice.
    7God watches over good people
   and places them
   in positions
   of power and honor forever.
    8But when people are prisoners
   of suffering and pain,
    9God points out their sin
   and their pride,
    10then he warns them
   to turn back to him.
    11And if they obey,
   they will be successful
   and happy from then on.
    12But if they foolishly refuse,
   they will be rewarded
   with a violent death.     

Godless People Are Too Angry

 13Godless people are too angry    to ask God for help
   when he punishes them.
    14So they die young
   in shameful disgrace.
    15Hard times and trouble
   are God's way
   of getting our attention!
    16And at this very moment,
   God deeply desires
   to lead you from trouble
   and to spread your table
   with your favorite food.
    17Now that the judgment
   for your sins
   has fallen upon you,
    18don't let your anger
   and the pain you endured
   make you sneer at God.
    19Your reputation and riches
   cannot protect you
   from distress,
    20nor can you find safety
   in the dark world below. [d] 21Be on guard! Don't turn to evil
   as a way of escape.
    22God's power is unlimited.
   He needs no teachers
    23to guide or correct him.     

Others Have Praised God

 24Others have praised God    for what he has done,
   so join with them.
    25From down here on earth,
   everyone has looked up
   and seen
    26how great God is--
   God is more than we imagine;
   no one can count the years
   he has lived.
    27God gathers moisture
   into the clouds
    28and supplies us with rain.
    29Who can understand
   how God scatters the clouds
   and speaks from his home
   in the thunderstorm?
    30And when God sends lightning,
   it can be seen
   at the bottom of the sea.
    31By producing such rainstorms,
   God rules the world
   and provides us with food.
    32Each flash of lightning
   is one of his arrows
   striking its target,
    33and the thunder tells
   of his anger against sin. [e] 

Footnotes:
  1. Job 34:30 people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 29,30.
  2. Job 35:2 are. . . God: Or "is it right for you to accuse God?"
  3. Job 36:3 comes straight from God: The Hebrew text has "comes from a distant place," which refers to the place where God lives; Elihu is claiming that he learned this from God.
  4. Job 36:20 below: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 18-20.
  5. Job 36:33 sin: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 33.


2 Corinthians 4:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)


2 Corinthians 4

Treasure in Clay Jars

 1God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. That's why we never give up. 2We don't do shameful things that must be kept secret. And we don't try to fool anyone or twist God's message around. God is our witness that we speak only the truth, so others will be sure that we can be trusted. 3If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.     4The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like. 5We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark." Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
    7We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. 9In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.


Psalm 44:1-8 (Contemporary English Version)


Psalm 44

(A special psalm for the people of Korah and for the music leader.)
A Prayer for Help

 1Our God, our ancestors told us    what wonders you worked
   and we listened carefully.
    2You chased off the nations
   by causing them trouble
   with your powerful arm.
   Then you let our ancestors
   take over their land.
    3Their strength and weapons
   were not
   what won the land
   and gave them victory!
   You loved them and fought
   with your powerful arm
   and your shining glory.
    4You are my God and King,
   and you give victory [a] to the people of Jacob.
    5By your great power,
   we knocked our enemies down
   and stomped on them.
    6I don't depend on my arrows
   or my sword to save me.
    7But you saved us
   from our hateful enemies,
   and you put them to shame.
    8We boast about you, our God,
   and we are always grateful.
    
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 44:4 and. . . victory: One ancient translation; Hebrew " please give victory."


Feeding on Christ Preaching the Proverbs - Feeding on Christ

Proverbs 22:10-12 (Contemporary English Version)


10Arguments and fights
   will come to an end,
   if you chase away those
   who insult others.
    11The king is the friend of all
   who are sincere
   and speak with kindness.
    12The LORD watches over everyone
   who shows good sense,
   but he frustrates the plans
   of deceitful liars.







Thought for the Day
 

“You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God.” (Ephesians 2:19 - Contemporary English Version) Although nations make distinctions between who belongs and who doesn't, that's not the case with God. Through Jesus Christ, we're all citizens of his kingdom.



Quote for the Day

English painter associated early in her career with the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, Evelyn de Morgan wrote, “Art is eternal, but life is short.”


Joke for Today

Patient: Doctor, doctor, I work like a horse, eat like a bird, and I'm tired as a dog!

Doctor: Have you been to a veterinarian?






















A Prayer Request

As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.

That God would protect our service men and women both home and abroad.

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